AMHERST, Mass.—Katharine “Katie” Fretwell , a 1981 graduate of Amherst College who has served her alma mater’s Admission Office in various capacities for nearly 25 years, has been appointed dean of admission and financial aid at the college, effective July 1, 2014. Fretwell, currently the dean of admission, succeeds Amherst’s longtime Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Tom Parker, who will retire at the end of June. Parker’s retirement ends an illustrious 15-year career at the college.

Introducing... This Year’s New Students

Submitted on Thursday, 9/12/2013, at 4:21 PM

They have participated in dog rescue programs, supported hurricane relief and competed on the international squash circuit. They speak 30 different languages and have lived in more than 40 different countries. They are Quakers, Junior Olympians, Irish fiddle players and calligraphers. There is even an embalmer’s assistant.

What do all of these people have in common? They started their college careers at Amherst on Aug. 25, when New Student Orientation began.

Introducing... This Year’s New Students

Submitted on Wednesday, 8/31/2011, at 6:01 PM

They include two former presidents of their high schools’ Young Republicans clubs, two licensed pilots, a grand champion pig raiser, a Carnegie Hall performer, a national ballroom dancing champion and the manager of a rap artist.

They are adoptees, immigrants and orphans; Muslims, Quakers and atheists; vegans and vegetarians, among many, many other things.